Mid-day meal workers protest in Anantnag, demand wage revision
Say meagre honorarium fails to meet basic needs
Urge government to act without delay
Anantnag: Scores of cooks and helpers engaged under the Mid-Day Meal scheme on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Anantnag, demanding an immediate hike in their wages.
Raising voice in favour of their demands, the protesters expressed strong resentment over what they termed as “unjust and inadequate” honorarium, saying it has remained unchanged for years despite rising inflation and cost of living.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that school children get nutritious meals every day, yet our wages are not even enough to support our families,” said one of the protesting women. “It has become extremely difficult to manage household expenses with such a meagre income.”
The agitating workers said that many of them have been associated with the scheme for years, playing a crucial role in its smooth functioning, but alleged that their contribution continues to be overlooked.
“We cook in difficult conditions, often without proper infrastructure, and still we are paid very little. The government must recognize our efforts and increase our wages at the earliest,” another protester said.
The workers also highlighted delays and irregularities in payments, adding to their hardships. “At times, we don’t even receive our wages on time. This adds to our financial stress,” a helper said, urging the authorities to streamline the payment process. The protesters appealed to the administration to take their demands seriously and ensure a dignified livelihood for those working under the scheme.
They warned that if their demands are not addressed promptly, they may be forced to intensify their agitation in the coming time.
